Newcastle defender Aaron Hughes will tomorrow walk out at Old Trafford adamant his side has no inferiority complex as they prepare to face Manchester United (live on Sky 4.05).

The Magpies have won only once in their last 37 visits to the Theatre of Dreams, and have lost on the last four occasions the two teams have met, conceding 16 goals in the process.

But despite trailing the current Barclaycard Premiership leaders by 20 points, Hughes insists they can stop the rot.

"If we start well there's no reason why we can't take something out of the game," he said.

"We have individuals that can change gamesIn hard-fought games, it can come down to just one individual, a great pass and someone just sticking it in the net for you. Both teams have got players that can do that."

Newcastle thought they had made good headway in the title race last season, but a 6-2 drubbing from United at St James' Park in April ended their challenge, and after a poor start this time, the gap appears to have widened.

"It is maybe not so much that they have pulled away, it is just that we have not got any nearer to them," said Hughes.

"They are the top side in England and everyone is trying to catch them up."

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson expects an entertaining game.

"Our matches against Newcastle are invariably free-flowing," said Ferguson, who is expected to replace suspended midfielder Darren Fletcher with improving Brazilian Kleberson.

CLAUDIO Ranieri has delivered a defiant message to those who believe Sven-Goran Eriksson will replace him as Chelsea manager, vowing: "I am here to stay."

Ranieri has found his position under constant scrutiny since Roman Abramovich's summer takeover - but the boss has vowed not to allow any reports over his future to unsettle him.

The Italian coach has come under further pressure as his side slumped to four defeats in seven games, leaving them seven points adrift in the title race, out of the Carling Cup and facing a replay against victory to beat First Division Watford in the FA Cup third round.

But Ranieri, whose side face Leicester at the Walkers Stadium tomorrow (Sky Premiership Plus, 2pm), said: "There is speculation because Mr Abramovich met Eriksson in the summer. But it is not difficult for me and I will continue. I believe in myself."

Of concern to the Italian manager is the poor form of £15.8m striker Adrian Mutu. The Romanian has not scored for 13 games but the calf injury Hernan Crespo sustained in the defeat against Liverpool means Mutu is likely to start against Leicester.